Blog #5

The web is an important teaching tool. Web 2.0 is useful in the classroom. I can't imagine web 2.0 not being used anymore in schools.Teachers can use you tube, wiki, blogs, Diigo, and twitter. You tube is used to stream educational videos. Blogs can be used to open up the creative writing skills. Wikis can be used to engage students in collaborative writing and collaborative knowledge basics. Twitter is great for students to follow scientist, authors, and other public figures. Diigo is social bookmark for sources found online. Students can post notes and questions about the article. The smart board is an example of a effective tool a teacher can use in the class room. 

I would like to use Diigo in the classroom. I didn't know what diigo was until taking this class and I think Diigo could have helped me with a number of class assignments. It's a great tool for students to have access to. Diigo allows student to read reliable article and then use them safely. Diigo also allows students to share any thoughts, questions, and opinions they may have on the topic with other students. A student can use Diigo when writing research papers.

 Concept mapping is a wonderful tool! Concept maps allows teachers to organize, itemize, and visualize information from chapters in a book. It's also a nice tool a teacher can use to make a study guide for students. However, I did not like the program web inspiration. Unfortunately, I found myself working on the concept map for way too many hours. What should of only taken me an hour tops. The problem wasn't making the concept map but finding a way to save the concept map or picture. Next time I'd rather use the one in Microsoft word. I ended up resulting to taking a screen shot of the concept map but it was still difficult to screenshot, the map was so big. I think concept map could be printed for the class, but it would be tough to email to the class or post on a website. There is probably a way to do it but I wasn't sure how to. Maybe if I get more practice I can grow to like it more. I  do like that concept maps can be used as a study tool for visual learners like me. 

Blog #6

I haven't been on my high school (Fort Walton Beach) website in years so I decided to take a look at it. I found out that the web site has in fact been updated since I was student at the school. A picture of the school is the first thing I noticed. The second thing was the title, "It's great to be viking."  The school is rated an A+ school. There are links at the top of the page such as; a home, current students, athletics, clubs and activities, school information, and a contact link. There are also a variety of other links on the right side of the page. One link I see is for students or parents to login to see grades. The web page has a slideshow of pictures and below there are videos one can click on to watch the video. If you scroll down you can see graphics and links to click on about up coming events, voting, registration, athletics, news letters, and so much more! To the right there is a column with even more links to pages you can look through. Two examples is see is the bell schedule and teacher webpages. The Website has no grammar or spelling errors, is neatly organized, well designed, and proudly shows off the school colors and mascot. The website is easy for students, teachers, and parents to navigate around it. 

 

I envision myself using technology to accomplish professional responsibilities in the future as well as right now in the present. I have always considered myself an organized person. Technology has helped me become even more organized. I can neatly organize my files on my computer desktop or USB drive. Being a well organized person is important because, it helps a person stay on track and remember to accomplish all of his/her responsibilities for that day. I believe that all teachers should acquire organization skills. If I had to chose one tech item as my favorite tech item, it would be my laptop. My laptop helps me finish all of my task efficiently. The laptop computer lets me do all of my school work on one device. My iPhone has my life on it as well. I can use my cellphone when I'm away from my laptop, but still have a list of things to finish. The iPhone carries many apps I use daily. Just to name a few I can check my email, bank account, calendar, to do list, schedule, alarm clock, and even use the GPS if I get lost. The next tech item I want to start using is an iPad. An iPad would come in handy for when I don't want to bring my laptop to class. The iPad can easily replace most of all of the function a laptop has. I without a doubt can see myself using smart boards, laptop computers, iPad, any technology given to the classroom when I become a teacher.


The web Evaluation Wiki gave me new skills. I learned what to look for when evaluating a website. For example, is the spelling on the webpage correct? As a teacher you need to make sure spelling and grammar is always proper when sharing websites or documents to students and parents. Teachers should also know what makes a web source a reliable source to use in the classroom. Teachers can use websites to help with their lesson plans, and students can use websites to help understand the subject better. Teachers and students can use websites that are recommended to them for school projects and assignments. My group used google drive to help us work together on making the wiki group page. I don't use google drive very often, but I think it's a great tool for saving and sharing files. I can see myself using it a lot more from now on. I will especially share with my classroom someday, when I assign group work.

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Blog #4

The standard I have chosen is SC.2.L.14.1 this standard teaches second grade students how to distinguish the human body parts (Brain, heart, lungs, stomach, muscles, skeleton) and their basic functions. http://www.cpalms.org/Public/PreviewStandard/Preview/1622 I would use graphics, presentation software, and tutorials -and- drill practice to help students learn where the body parts are located and what function they hold in the human body. I would also incorporate an educational "review" game to the classroom. The winner would receive a prize such as extra credit points on test or a sweet treat. Another tool I would use is group projects. I would allow a group of 2-3 students for the class project. Each group would get a body part assigned for them to learn about and present to the class. I think that it's never too early for student to start learning about how the human body functions. Our body is amazing! This subject will help students understand the body. I would enjoy teaching these lessons to a classroom. I would make the lessons fun, interesting, and memorable. I have taken many science courses as a college student and all Universities and Colleges require you to take a certain amount of science courses even if one isn't a science major. I think its important for students to take well rounded sciences courses in early childhood. I don't see schools teaching elementary students Human Anatomy. I mean why not? Most student will eventually one day take the course or a course that is similar.  Also why not encourage students to learn about the human body? It will help the child decide early on in life if they like the subject. Science in general can be a difficult subject to grasp especially with the wide range of areas. The great thing about learning when you're young is that the brain is developing and soaking up everything you learn. Taking a course in distinguishing the human body and its basic function will help the student in his/her future sciences related classes. For example, if they decide to pursue a career in the medical or science field. 

In the past I would use google all the time when writing a paper for school, without knowing that everything on google isn't always considered reliable and scholarly. Before, I would struggle with finding good sources. I recently I learned about the FSU library database, where students can search for reliable journals, books, webpages to use as sources. This is very important since professors always ask students to cite their sources when writing a paper or working on a project. And the professors make it clear to only use scholarly sources.

The web hunt assignment allowed me to learn a new skill, how to use google scholar. I plan to also use it from now on whenever writing a paper. It's another great reliable source and tool one can use for school.

Web Hunt Challenge

1. Find a website that gives you a virtual tour of the human body. 

2. Find a picture that labels and shows the location of all the major organs in the human body.

3. Find a video about the human skeleton.

4. Find a webpage that allows you to make a class page and keep parents in the loop. 

5. Find a website that allows you to make a picture/diaphragm of the human skeleton and major organs. So your students can learn by filling in the blank spaces as a class or homework assignment.

6. Find a website that allows you to play/make an educational game on the Human Anatomy. 

7. Find a website with examples of Human Anatomy projects for you to get ideas from.

Blog #3

In this moment if I had to choose I would honestly be scared to choose one because I think that a successful teacher prepares for every lesson he/she teaches. If I had to pick one; English, writing, reading, and language arts would be the one I think I am most prepared for. I am constantly writing a paper as a college student. Therefore, I am always brushing up on my grammar skills. I will use the rules I learned in English Language Arts or grammar class throughout my lifetime. The tools used for these subjects are more simple and easy to understand. For example using digital media and videos to teach the students. I would need more preparation for science, social studies, and history subjects. I would need to read the chapters in the book and outline specifically what my students will need to learn. 

I would like to use a web blogger with my students. I found the video we watched in class interesting. I liked how the teacher made using a blog fun and easy for students to write and use their imagination. Creating a personal blog helped the shy students come out of their shell. Students begin to enjoy writing and practice their writing and grammar skills. The web blog helped improve students writing skills overall. The blog even encouraged students to write often. I believe that some students even began to look at writing as their new hobby.   

I acquired many skills while working on the newsletter this week. First I did not know how to make a "real newsletter." I had no idea Microsoft word had these tools. I did not how to make a regular or shaded column for my newsletter until today.  I enjoyed making the newsletter. I think its an important way teachers can keep in contact with the students parent. I did not like making the header with the word art and clip art only because it took me a long time to perfect it.

Blog Post #2

I've seen teachers use it for syllabus, assignments, and study guides.

I use MS word all the time for school work. I use MS word when taking notes in class, typing up papers, and assignments/study guides.

When making a PowerPoint for class I will need to source any information that isn't my own at the end of my pp. My own experience with copyright has come up mostly when using power point or writing a research paper for class. Students photocopy photos from the web, books, and magazines all the time. Adding music clips to presentation. Do these student own or have permission to use the creative work. Copy right laws govern what teachers and students use in the classroom. It is illegal to photocopy a text book. Fair use is a set of guideline that allows people to copy limited amounts of the work. One can also buy to use the copyright.   Student always need to cite their sources. Usually APA format is used. The internet has a pool of information students can access. Students should always have a citation page at the end of their paper, and also cite the information in the text. I would deal with the concept by informing my students on the rules of copyright. I would encourage them to ask questions and be conscience when using material that is not your own. I would teach a workshop on the copyright rules and define the true meaning of copyright. Teacher should explain why students cannot copy and whole book or video clip. A teacher should model respect for the intellectual property of other through their own actions. 



 Twitter can be used for classroom discussions among the students. Students can also use twitter as a fun way to follow up and stay up to date with the news in education. It's also a great way students can interact with one another.